§ 45. Mr. COOPERasked the Prime Minister if the Cabinet are conducting aninquiry into the causes of labour unrest; and, if so, will he state the personnel of this inquiry, the terms of reference, and when their Report may be expected?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The Government have invited the Industrial Council to conduct an inquiry on their behalf into certain matters relating to labour questions. This inquiry is now in progress. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the questions which formed the terms of reference and the names of Members of the Council, both of which have already been published.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the list of names there is the name of any Member who has any personal and practical knowledge of the working of co-partnership?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. COOPERIs the Prime Minister aware that this House was informed on 8th May, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that this inquiry should be conducted with rapidity, and, in that case, will the right hon. Gentleman lay proposals before the House at an early date for dealing with labour unrest?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWhat has happened to the Cabinet inquiry with regard to labour co-partnership?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Report is to be issued directly. As to the other matters, I have no power over the operations of this Industrial Council, which is an independent body.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWhat has happened to the inquiry by a Cabinet Committee? The Report of the Board of Trade on labour co-partnership is one thing and the inquiry by a Committee of the Cabinet is entirely different.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe one is public and the other is confidential.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I ask what has happened to the inquiry by a Committee of the Cabinet—of which we heard a good deal in the summer—on labour co-partnership? Have they arrived at any conclusion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI thought I said it was going on.